Spike and Andrew. Both Spike and Andrew have tons of slash fic devoted to them, but what makes them slashable as a pairing? Well first off, there's the interaction between them, most noticeably shown in the BtVS episode 'Empty Places' and the Angel episode 'Damage.' Another thing is the similarities between them as characters. Lastly, if they are so slashable, then what exactly goes into writing a good Spandrew?

Firstly, we have their interaction. The first Spike/Andrew we ever see is during 'Smashed,' in which Spike goes to the Trio so that Warren can examine his chip. As Spike waits for the results, Andrew tries to make conversation with him. It's stilted and awkward and more than a bit painful to watch, but we see that Andrew either admires/wants to be/or likes Spike enough to want to communicate with him. We don't get any more Spike/Andrew until 'Entropy,' where the Trio are watching Spike and Anya having sex at the Magic Box. Andrew is mesmerized by Spike, also showing the audience the first really blatant symbol of his lack of heterosexuality.

We don't get any more interaction until Season 7's 'Never Leave Me,' where a triggered Spike breaks through the wall to bite Andrew. As shown through later episodes, Andrew has the bite marks on his neck for a while, a reminder of what Spike gave him. Andrew, the overly-romantic obsessive type, may very well have loved those little marks, because it showed that for a brief moment in time, though he was terrified, Spike was paying attention to him.

The next big Spike/Andrew moment is actually disguised as a Spuffy moment. During Andrew's fantasy sequence in 'Storyteller,' he envisions his ideal opening credits, which include a shirtless Spike. A shirtless and seductive Spike at that, barring the fact that the seduction was not aimed towards Andrew. Later in the episode, we have a cute throwaway scene of Spike threatening to rip Andrew's throat out if he doesn't put down the camera, but then we learn it's an act, and that Spike is willingly going along with it, even moving back to get better light. Spike's vanity notwithstanding, it shows that he at least tolerates Andrew enough to help him with his project. Also, referencing Spike's vanity, he probably enjoys that Andrew so hero-worships him. It's a bit of a boost to his ego, which had admittedly dwindled during the course of Season 6-7, though he'd most likely never admit it.

The last real interaction we see during BtVS is during Spike and Andrew's trip to the mission during 'Empty Places' and the beginning of 'Touched.' We watch as they travel the long dark highway on Spike's motorcycle, and we are treated to the Onion Blossom scene. Spike, frustrated by Andrew's constant prattling, shows kindness to him by going along with Andrew's road trip food conversation, even telling him how exactly one would make an Onion Blossom. Of course, to protect his image, Spike then adds, "Tell anyone we had this conversation, I'll bite you." He's warming up to Andrew, we can tell, but the image always comes first. During their stay at the mission after they discover the cryptic writing on the wall, they pass the time by apparently playing games like I Spy. We're not told how long they've been passing the time like this, but it seems to be a while, since they have to wait out the whole day there. Spike is grudgingly tolerating Andrew, not yelling at him or berating him like we've seen others do to Andrew in the past. In fact, Spike only really gets agitated when he talks about protecting Buffy, which is understandable. When they return from their mission, Andrew treats it like it was a sort of vacation, since they "rode on Spike's 'hog', which was very cool and played some amusing games" as well as getting information. He then leaves to use the restroom, and Spike gets his dig in like he feels he should, because he would never want to let on that he tolerated Andrew's company.

We don't see Spike and Andrew together again until 'Damage,' which had Spandrew shippers waving their little flags of joy. Andrew, the cool Watcher's Aid from England, sent to Wolfram and Hart on a reconnaissance mission to retrieve a psychotic Slayer, completely loses his cool when he sees that Spike is still alive, hugging him and fawning over him, even crying. We also learn that Andrew's been seeing a therapist, and that he told his therapist about Spike. He touches Spike's face as if he's afraid that Spike will suddenly disappear. Spike, for his part, manages to look properly shocked and annoyed, as is Spike's way, but he doesn't push Andrew away. After Angel interrupts their reunion, Andrew attempts to salvage his persona by saying that it was him and Spike who saved the world. Still telling stories.

After Spike leaves to pursue Dana on his own, Andrew follows, still in disbelief over seeing him again. Spike calls him out, and we get Andrew's telling line, "I see your senses seem to be as well-honed as your Viggo Mortensen pectorals." Spike completely ignores Andrew's admiration of his body, instead choosing to interrogate him. This leads into Spike and Andrew both looking for Dana, and they have a (for them) nice conversation about what's been going on. Of course, Spike is using the conversation to find out what's going on with Buffy, but once he does, he doesn't send Andrew packing. Instead he continues to put up with Andrew's chattering, though he is getting tired of it.

After Spike is captured by Dana, we don't get any more direct interaction between Spike and Andrew, but we do get it indirectly. After Andrew and his Slayers take Dana and Angel informs Spike of the double cross, Spike is actually impressed, though as usual, he masks it with his sarcasm.

So now we have the canonical basis for writing Spandrew. Of course, we also should examine their characters. Spike, the original Fool for Love, and Andrew, William Version 2.0. It's no surprise that Spike feels something for Andrew, whether it's pity or friendship or anything like that, because Spike, in a sense, was Andrew. He was spurned by love, desperate to be different than he was; craving something that he felt was unreachable until it was handed to him. Spike sees a part of himself in Andrew, and since Andrew isn't going to be vamped anytime soon, Spike possibly feels the need to make sure that this new William actually has a shot in the world. We also see the William/Andrew parallels physically, as they're both blond and thin and awkward.

Also, in 'Never Leave Me,' when Andrew has his "cool" clothes, he dresses almost exactly like Spike.

We have canonical basis, we have character similarities. All that's left is the writing of the fic.

Yes, you can slash them, but before you do, know this. If you slash them, they're not going to have an all encompassing love. Spikes loves Buffy, and continues to love Buffy even after his resurrection. He's more likely to turn to Andrew because he's horny and Andrew's convenient. He also does have some sort of affection, however slight, for Andrew, so he's probably not going to be overly cruel to him either, unless he's under the influence of the First. Andrew, on the other hand, worships Spike. He admires him and looks up to him, and as evidenced by that pectorals comment, lusts for him. Andrew would not be in any way adverse to any sort of sexual situation involving him and Spike.

Despite that simple enough set up, there are indeed ways to guide a Spandrew fic down the wrong path. I mentioned before about Spike and Andrew not having an all-encompassing love. Well, if you really want to write a Spike/Andrew love story, it can be done, but you're going to have to be extra careful. What about Spike's love for Buffy? What about Spike's need to appear "cool"? Notice I haven't mentioned Andrew. Andrew's fairly easy in the sense that he loves intensely, but he loves the first person to show him even the smallest bit of affection. Having him fall in love with Spike really isn't the issue here. Why would Spike love Andrew? Would he see the William in Andrew and feel the need to give this new William everything he never had? Would he realize he could never have Buffy and settle for the cute little boy who's obviously lusting after him?

Another thing to avoid in Spike/Andrew fic would be to not have them in any sort of sexual situation where someone could walk in on them. Spike, as evidenced, is hesitant of Andrew in public, admitting that yes, the boy worships him, but for the love of God, could he please tone it down some. He's not going to put himself in a situation where someone could ever find out that he's in some sort of relationship, sexual or otherwise, with Andrew.

Lastly, the most important thing to remember is that while Spike begrudgingly accepts Andrew, he's still Spike. He's still snarky and loves to grate on people's nerves if he thinks it will get a reaction from them. He'd never be outright mean to Andrew, but he'd never be completely soft and sweet either.

And Andrew will always be The Boy. Think about it. How many times did Spike actually use Andrew's name throughout the entirety of BtVS as well as his appearance on Angel? Once, for sure, during 'Chosen.' Any more times? Not so much. He rarely refers to Andrew at all, actually, so if you're planning on a Spandrew fic, that's something to note.

I hope you've been somewhat inspired to write Spandrew, or at the very least, have learned what makes up a good Spandrew fic. Good luck with it!